Distributor for ignition systems



P. N. SCOTT.

DISTRIBUTOR FOR IGNITION SYSTEMS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-29,1919.

Pat'nted June 6, 1922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

INVENTOR. /I//// We/SOn SCo/f WITNESS:

A TTORNE Y.

P. N. SCOTT.

DISTRIBUTOR FOR IGNITION SYSTEMS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.29, 1919.

1,418,836. atente June 6, 1922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

II D 5 WElMM MI! L 6 I 17 E5 E IS, D1 '5 A i 172 6 1? Eli Ph/b j e/sonjwf/ UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PHILIP NELSON SCOTT, .OF 'WFBTWOOD, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO WILLIAM C, HALL OF HAWORTH NEW JERSEY, AND JAMES DE TULRCK, OF HA JiiRsE'Y.

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Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 6, 1922.

Application filed August 29, 1919. 1 Serial No. 820,671;

To all whom it may concern. Be it known that I, PHILIP NELSON Scorr, a citizen of the United States, residing at Westwood, in the county of Bergen. and Stateof New Jersey, have invented new and useful Improvements in Distributors for Ignition Systems, of which the following is a specification. My invention consists in a new and useful improvement in distributors for ignition systems for internal combustion engines and is designed more particularly for that type of distributors which is adapted to be used with a magneto or other form of generator which supplies a low tension current to the ignition system. In cases where the. current supplied by the generator is of low tension, it becomes necessary to transform such current by passage through an induction coil to provide a current of high tension for use in the spark plugs, in order to secure the necessary spark for ignition in the en gine cylinders. Ignition systems which accomplish this transformation of the current have been of either one of two types; viz: the one type in which the low tension current generated by the/magneto has been conducted directly to a single coil and transformed, and the high tension current has been conducted to the distributor andthence to the spark plugsorthe other and well known type in which the low tension current is distributed by the distributor to the coils and thence to the spark plugs, in which system there must be a separatecoil for each plug. In the former type, the distributor has to handle a high tension current and secure its distribution, through the friction brush switches, to the spark plugs, through the operation of the ordinary'type of timer., 'This has the necessary disadvantage of liability of sparking in the timer, on account of the high tension character of the current passing through the switches. The second and familiar type, as indicated, requires an individual coil for each spark plug, resulting in individual adjustment and consequent variation in the ignition with the familiar difficulty of tuning the coils, and all the disadvantage of faulty adjustment. I

My improved distributor is designed to obviate the foregoing objections and provide for the most efficient transformation of the low tension current and distribution of the high tension current to the spark plugs. In

my device the low tension current is supplied to the distributor and the operation of the timer is effected in the usual' way, the low tension current being distributed through the switches. F mm the distributor, the low tension current is conducted to a single coil 'and transformed. The high tension current is then distributed through a novel form of rotatable switch, in which the liabilit to sparking is obviated, to the spark p ugs.-

The operation of high tension current, is that of the distributor current.

It will thus be observed that my device enables the distributor to feed the low tension current supplied by the magneto, in accordance with the requirements of the igthe low tension nition system, and through the operation of a single coil, to supply high tension current to the spark plugs. In this way, I have obv ated the difliculties of handling a high tension current through the switch'esof the distributor and the more importantdifliculty of a plurality of coils. The fact that I socure the proper transformation of the cur-- rent by the use of a single coil, insures uni-;

'form ignition throughout the cylinders of the engine, and results in ,a material increase in the efficient operation thereof, withthe consequent reduction. of tion.

My invention is clearly disclosed in the details of construction hereinafter pointed out, but it is to be understood that the device shown in the drawings and described is but a single form of device embodying my invention, and the nature and scope of my invention is set forth in the terms of the gas consumpclaims.

on the line 3--3 of distributor having the shell A, which is .of

the ordinary form, and adapted to be placed upon the casing of the engine so as to fit the switch distributing the,v

synchronized with 0 over the end of the cam shaft, indicated in the drawings as F. This shell A has an outer wall or face A from the center of which extends the circular housing A the purpose of which will later appear. The shell A is provided upon its inner edge with a recessed portion A which is adapted to fit upon a properly adapted annular shoulder "upon the engine casing for the reception of tion B on its side opposite the face A and thereby form contact plates circularly disposed in the face of the portion B, within the shell A. In the form shown in the drawings, there are four of these plates C. A radial extension C? from the conductor plate C forms an electrical contact with the binding post G which passes through the shell A and is insulated therefrom by the insulated collar C, and carries upon its threaded end the usual nuts C. regular intervals in the inner face of the ring B, are the contact plates D similar in character to the contact plates (1, and electrically connected in series by the electrical conductor D and the connections D disposed within the-ring B. Four of these contact plates are shown. A binding post D is connected with the electric circuit connected with the contact plates D, passing throu h the shell A and being insulated there rom by the insulated collar D* and havin upon its outer end the usual nuts D Alternate] contact plates fl is a similar number of contact lates E located in the inner face of the ring B in the same circumferential path around the inner face of the ring B with the series of plates D. From each of these plates E, there extends a binding post E through the ring B and the shell-A, insulated from the circuit conductor D in the ring B and from the shell A by an insulated collar E and carrying upon its end the usual nuts E Upon the end of the cam shaft F which is surrounded by the shell A there is mount.- ed the insulated brush carrier G, by means of a centrally disposed collar G made of copper or some other electrical conducting material. This collar G is looked upon the shaft F in any ordinary way, as by the reduced portion F of the shaft F carrying a lock washer F 2 having a feather seated in a slot in the shaft F and the collar-G and Located at disposed with regard to the.

locked in Iplace by the nut F on the threaded portion 4 of the shaft F, which extends within the housin A Extending radially from the collar G is such that it is adapted to extend from the carrier G parallel to the shaft F and thus, when the parts are assembled, at .right angles to the face portion B Moreover the brush G is so disposed th'at rotation of the shaft F causes the brush G to travel over a circular path upon the face B in which the contact plates C are located. The brush G thus serves as a switch between the shaft Fand the contact plates C The brush carrier G has an extension G which is radially disposed in a direction opposite to that portion of the carrier G which carries the brush G Disposed at an angle of approximately 45 to this extension G is another radial extension G. In these extensions G and G, are located the brush sockets G and G respectively, in which are carried the brushes G and G, respectively. The brushes G and G are adapted to be protruded from the sockets G and G by the coil springs G and G, respectively. The disposition of the brushes G and G is such that they are adapted to extend outwardly from the ends of the extensions G and G and, when the parts are assembled, to be disposed radially to the inner face of the ring B, and'in slidable contact with same. The brushes G and G are so disposed in relation to the inner face of the ring B, that when the shaft F is rotated, they are caused to travel over a circular path on the inner face of the ring B in which the contact plates D and the contact plates E are located The relative location of the brushes G and G to one another is such that when either one is in contact-with one of the contact plates D, the other one is in contact with one of the contact plates E.- Extending between the brush. sockets G and G and adapted to electrically connect one with the other is the conductor G The construction above described serves as a brush switch by which contact may be secured between any one of the contact lates D and its adjoining contact plate through the medium of the brushes G and G and their connedting conductor G. This switch, as described, belng mounted upon the carrier G which is adapted to be rotated by the cam shaft F. is controlled by the operation of the engine From the binding post C a wire J makes an electrical contact between the conductor plate C with its'contact plates C and an induction coil of the usual type, 'not shown. This coil is in electrical contact with the magneto or other generator. As the brush Gr is in electrical contact with the camshaft F, through the socket G the conduc- I ered to a single induction coil, instead of to several coils, as in the ordinary system above referred to. i

From the binding. post D a wire I makes an electrical contact between the electrical circuit in which are the contact plates D, and thehigh tension current circuit of the induction coil From each of the binding posts E a wire H makes an electrical contact between the plate E and its individual spark plug in each cylinder of the engine.

As the brushes G and G are caused to travel over the contact plates D and E, it will be apparent that contact is established through these brushes and plates, between the coil and individual spark plugs, such contact being properly timed by the movement of thebrushes which is controlled by the action-of the engine through the cam-' shaft F. Thus the puls tations of the low tension current when transformed into high tension current are delivered through the wire I, from the single coil, and are properly distributed by means of the rotating brushes to the individual spark plugs.

Having described my invention, what I claim is: Y

1. The combination in a spark distributor, of three sets of contact points, the points of the first set being positioned to' describe a single orbit, and the points of the second and third sets being positioned to describe a single orbit; means adapted to establish contact between the points of said first set and said means; and means adapted to establish contact between the second and third sets.

2. The combination in a spark distributor for internal combustion engines, of a set of contact points; means adapted to establish contact between said points and the engine; a second set of contact points, insulated from said first set; a third set of contact points,

sets, the points of said second and third sets being positioned, to describe a single orbit; and means adapted toestablish conpoints of said for internal combustion engines, of a set of contact points; means adapted to establish contact between said points and the engine; a second set of contact points, insulated from said first set; a third set of contact ,points, insulated from both said first and second sets, the points of said second and third sets being positioned to describe a single orbit; and means adapted to establish.

contact between the contact points of the second and third sets, said second contact means adapted to synchronize with said first contact means.

4. The combination in a distributor for the ignition system of internal combustion engines, of a low tension current circuit provided with a plurality of contact points; a rotatable brush adapted to establish contact between said points'and the cam-shaft of the engine; a high tension current circuit, provided with a plurality of contact points; a plurality of contact points, each electrically connected. with the ignition means in each engine cylinder, said high tension contact points and said ignition contact points'being positioned to describe a single orbit, and rotatable brushes adapted to establish contact between said high tension contact points and said ignition contact points.

5. The combination in a distributor for the ignition system of internal combustion engines, of a circular plate adapted to be electrically connected with a source of low tension current, and provided with a plural- ,ity' of contact points thereon; a rotatable brush adapted to establish electrical contact between the said contact points and the cam-shaft of the engine, and to be rotated the ignition means in the engine'cylinders,

said high tension contact points and said ignition contact points being positioned to describe a single orbit and rotatable brushes adapted to establish contact between said high tension contact points and said ignition ,contact'points.

6. The combination in a distributor for the ignition system of internal combustion engines, of a circular plate adapted to be electrically connected with asource of low tension current, and provided with a pluralityof contact points thereon; a rotatable brush adapted to establish electrical contact between thesaid contact points and the caminsulated from both sald first and second shaft of the engine, and to be rotated in accordance with the speed of the engine; a plurality of contact points electrically connected with a source of high tension current; a plurality of contact points connected with the ignition means in the engine cylinders; and rotatable brushes adapted to establish contact between said high tension contact oints and said ignition contact points, and ing so positioned as to travel in the same orbit.

7. The combination in a distributor for the ignition system of internal combustion engines, of a circular plate adapted to be electrically connected with a source of low tension current, and provided with a plurality' of contact points thereon; a rotatable brush adapted to establish electrical contact between the said contact points and the camshaft of the engine, and to be rotated in accordance with the speed of the engine; a plurality of contact points electrically connected with a source of high tension current; a plurality of contact points connected with the ignition means in the engine cylinders and rotatable brushes adapted to establish contact between said high tension contact points, and said ignition contact points, and being so positioned as to travel in the same orbit, all of said brushes being so related as to establish their respective contacts synchronously.

8. In a spark distributor, the combination of a member having a ring portion and a face portion; and a member provided with three brushes, one of said brushes being adapted to contact said face portion, and the other two brushes being adapted to contact said ring portion.

9. The combination in an electric switch, of three sets of contact points, the points in the first setbeing positioned to describe a single orbit, and the points in the second and third sets being positioned to describe a single orbit; means adapted to establish intermittently an electric contact between the points in the first set and said means; and means adapted to establish intermittently an electric contact between the points in the second and third sets.

10. The combination in an electric switch, of three sets of contact points, the points in the first set being positioned to describe a single orbit, and the points in thesecond and third sets being positioned to describe "a single orbit; means adapted to establish intermittently an electric contact between the points in the first set and said means; and means adapted to establish intermittently an electric contact between the points in the second and third sets, said second means being adapted to operate synchronously with said first means.

11. The combination in an electric switch, of a circular member provided with a plurality of contact points; a second circular member provided with a plurality of contact points arran ed in two sets; a rotatable shaft dispose concentrlcally to both circular members; a contact device carried upon said shaft and adapted to contact with the contact points of the first circular member; a

second contact device carried upon said shaft, insulated from said first contact device, and adaptedto contact with all the point of the second circular member; and a third contact device carried upon said shaft, insulated from said first contact device and in contact with said second contact device, and adapted to contact with all the contact points of the second circular member.

.12. The combination in an electric switch of a circular housing; an insulated lining consisting of a ring portion and a circular face portion within said ring portion; a set of contact points equidistantly disposed in a circular path on said face portion; a second set of contact points equidistantly disposed on the inner face of said ring portion; a third set of contact points alternately dis posed with regard to the contact points of said second set; a rotatable shaft disposed concentrically to said ring portion and said face portion; an arm carried on said shaft; a socket in said arm; an electrical conductor adapted to be carried in said socket; a spring adapted to protrude said conductor from said socket and hold said conductor in slidable contact with the face portion of the lining; a second arm carried on said shaft: a socket in said second arm; an electrical conductor adapted to be carried in said socket; a spring adapted to protrude said conductor from said socket and hold said conductor in slidable contact with the inner face of the ring portion of the lining; a third arm carried on said shaft; a socket in said third arm; an electrical conductor adapted to be carried in said socket ;.a spring adapted to protrude said'conductor from said socket and hold said conductor in slidablecontact with theinner face of the ring portion of the lining.

13. The combination in an electric switch of a circular housing; an insulated lining consisting of a ring portion and a circular face portion within said ring portion; a set of contact points equidistantly disposed in a circular path on said face portion, an electrical circuit connecting said points: a second set of contact points equidistantly disposed on the inner face of said ring portion, an electrical circuit connecting said points; a third set of contact points alternately disposed with regard to the contact points of said second set, each point of said third set being insulated from all other points in said third set; each ofsaid sets being insulated from the others; a rotatable shaft disposed concentrically to said ring portion and said face portion; a collar on said shaft; an arm on said collar: a socket in said arm; an electrical conductor adapted to be carried in said socket and in electrical contact with said shaft through said socket and collar; a spring adapted to protrude said conductor from said socket and hold said conductor in slidable contact with the face portion of the lining and adapted to contact with the contact points disposed on said face portion; a second arm carried on said shaft; a socket in said second arm; an electrical conductor adapted to be carried in said socket; a spring adapted to protrude said conductor from said socket and hold said conductor inslidable contact with the inner face of the ring portion of the lining and adapted to contact with the contact polnts disposed on said inner face; a third arm carried on said shaft;

a socket in said third arm; an electrical conductor adapted to be carried in said socket; a spring adapted to protrude said conductor from said socket and hold said 15 conductor in slidable contact with the inner face ofthe ring portion of the lining and adapted to contact with the contact points disposed on said inner face; an electrical connection between the electrical conductorsv in said second and third arms.

In'testimony whereof I aflix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

- PHILIP NELSON SCOTT.

Witnesses:

EDWARD 0. WEST, JAMES DE 8mm. 

